By Kenney Kost/ne news editor
Students seeking to improve their writing and language skills need look no further than the campus writing and learning centers.
“The writing and learning center offers resources to help students become better writers,” said Samantha Windschitl, who worked in the TR Campus Writing and Learning Center for three years. “Writing is an important skill that will follow students for the rest of their lives, even if they don’t really want to admit it.”
David Reid/The Collegian
The centers are free to students currently enrolled at TCC. They offer writing tutors who specialize in MLA and APA style, reading tutors and computers equipped with Microsoft Word and PowerPoint. Some campus centers offer tutors in other disciplines such as math and science.
The district recently purchased Rosetta Stone language software in French, Spanish, German and Japanese, said Sylvia Jones, NE Campus writing and learning center assistant.
“It is unknown at this time exactly which languages will be offered at which campus,” she said.
“The majority of our students are from the English or history disciplines, but we get people who bring in papers from all disciplines,” said Rowena Tart, NE instructional assistant.
According to TR student Ryan Long, the writing center raised the grades on his essays and papers an average of one letter grade. Windschitl said Long is just one of many students who found success at the writing centers.
“Largely, we’ve heard wonderful feedback from students who have returned to let us know how they did on a particular assignment,” Windschitl said. “It’s these students who usually become our regulars and who we can see become better writers by the end of the semester.”
The centers employ staff that enjoy writing and helping others to become better writers.
“I have a blast every day,” Windschitl said. “The students I get to meet are amazing and always have incredible stories to tell. Seeing them grow as writers throughout the one, two, three or four semesters they continue to visit us makes us all feel like we’re making a significant difference in their lives.”
Whether an English major or not, writing is an essential skill to learn, and the writing center caters to all levels of writing skill. They can help refine the skills of an advanced writer as well as help a student who may take remedial writing courses in preparation for college-level composition classes.
“Writing is a skill that everyone needs to practice and perfect,” Windschitl said. “You may not be writing papers on Hamlet or the different forms of lobbying for the rest of your life, but you’ll need to write cover letters, communicate through emails and create proposals. It’s a very important and powerful skill.”
According to Windschitl, the best advice she can give to new and returning students is to use the resources available to them so they will be a step up in their college careers.
“Use the library, the writing center, the math center and the science center,” she said.
Windschitl wanted students to remember that the resources are free to use and are designed to help students successfully complete their courses.
“Sometimes, I hear students complaining about how much they are struggling, and I don’t understand why they don’t use the resources available to them. Get to know the campus and what it can do to help you succeed during your time there.”
